Scan barcode
smartinez9's review
4.0
3.5
Well-thought out, atmospheric mystery with complex characters. The girls’ boarding school setting and interwoven historical evidence gave it a dark academia-ish feel.
Well-thought out, atmospheric mystery with complex characters. The girls’ boarding school setting and interwoven historical evidence gave it a dark academia-ish feel.
annamickreads's review
5.0
Let me just begin by saying this is one of the most intriguing and terrifying books I have read in a LONG time. If I could give it more stars, I would.
I'm fortunate enough that I had the time and the energy to power through this book in one sitting, because the entire time I was reading I had full-body chills. What Arsenault does so masterfully in this story is layers upon layers of intricate clues, and just when you think you have the mystery figured out, there's another layer to the story. I think this book really captures the central themes that a lot of books revolving around "dark academia" (although I would not qualify this book as one of them) seem to focus on: adolescent teenage girls, specifically the cruelty of teenage girls and how a lot of hauntings involving young women are focused on the idea that they've done something to deserve it.
Honestly, the sheer amount of references to the history of spiritualism (including the Fox sisters!) and tradition, as well as paranormal investigation in a way highly reminiscent of the Warren family and "The Conjuring" really round out this book as a more modern interpretation of those themes.
TL;DR I am obsessed and STRONGLY look forward to what Arsenault writes next — and encourage anyone in need of some October fun to see for themselves what the book is about.
I'm fortunate enough that I had the time and the energy to power through this book in one sitting, because the entire time I was reading I had full-body chills. What Arsenault does so masterfully in this story is layers upon layers of intricate clues, and just when you think you have the mystery figured out, there's another layer to the story. I think this book really captures the central themes that a lot of books revolving around "dark academia" (although I would not qualify this book as one of them) seem to focus on: adolescent teenage girls, specifically the cruelty of teenage girls and how a lot of hauntings involving young women are focused on the idea that they've done something to deserve it.
Honestly, the sheer amount of references to the history of spiritualism (including the Fox sisters!) and tradition, as well as paranormal investigation in a way highly reminiscent of the Warren family and "The Conjuring" really round out this book as a more modern interpretation of those themes.
TL;DR I am obsessed and STRONGLY look forward to what Arsenault writes next — and encourage anyone in need of some October fun to see for themselves what the book is about.
joyciemarie's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
elegantapathy's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caffeine_library's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
arockettm's review
2.0
The main character was a little hard to root for because she clearly only had relationships with her peers when she could benefit from them. And the things would go wrong and she would start yelling at everyone until she found the answer but never acknowledged that she had been wrong to treat people that way? I don't know but it rubbed me the wrong way. She was insufferable to Anthony and Star.
Overall, the story fell a little flat for me. But did keep me reading through to the end so there is something to be said for that I guess.
Overall, the story fell a little flat for me. But did keep me reading through to the end so there is something to be said for that I guess.
sunshine169's review
3.0
After a seemingly rough period in her childhood, Haley gets accepted into a prestigious high school in hopes of starting over. Windham-Farnswood Academy is over a century old and swarming with legacy kids who families attendance dates back decades. The school was the perfect creepy setting for a ghost story but is it truly haunted? Coming up on the year anniversary of her former best friends fall from a window, Haley begins an investigation into what really happened that night. She soon discovers that the ghostly history of the Dearborn residents hall might not be telling its whole truth.
This book had a ton of spook factor. I often questioned why I read it before bed. It is perfect for the fall season. Some of the story elements did feel a little far fetched, such as no one resisting being asked to talk about the past. Everyone was willing to spill all their thoughts to someone they hardly knew or didn't know at all. There was also some telling about what happened and not enough showing and I wanted more from the ending. It is still a solid spooky read that I would put on a recommendations list.
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.
This book had a ton of spook factor. I often questioned why I read it before bed. It is perfect for the fall season. Some of the story elements did feel a little far fetched, such as no one resisting being asked to talk about the past. Everyone was willing to spill all their thoughts to someone they hardly knew or didn't know at all. There was also some telling about what happened and not enough showing and I wanted more from the ending. It is still a solid spooky read that I would put on a recommendations list.
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.
nuttytwitchy22's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a very gripping read! It also had a great creep factor that made me so unsettled I could not read this before bed. I did not however expect the ending to be what it was. Such a great read that constantly kept me guessing.
go_maggs_go's review
1.0
I almost DNF-ed this so many times. It felt too drawn out, the end felt too rushed, and I didn't connect to or care about any of the characters.